Introducing the 2021 Board of Directors

Introducing the 2021 Board of Directors

When it comes to their work in Cascade, Ada, and Forest Hills, Cascade Community Foundation is joined by a variety of skilled community members that serve on the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors exists to advise and authorize the Foundation’s CEO (Justin Swan) on operations, philanthropic resources provided to the community, and overall grantmaking made possible through endowment funds. Each member is empowered to utilize their expertise both on the board and in a variety of specialized committees for the purpose of increasing the Foundation’s use as a resource for residents, businesses, nonprofits and government agencies.


Cascade Community Foundation is proud to present the 2021 Board of Directors:

Kimberly Livingston, Board President

Kimberly Livingston has been serving on the Cascade Community Foundation board of directors since 2018 and was elected president in 2021. She also lends her skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Community Outreach Committee. She serves as the marketing & community relations manager at Hungerford Technologies, where she has been overseeing HT Marketing for 7 years.

 

Jill Szyszko, Vice President

Jill Szyszko has been a board member since 2020 serving as the board Secretary, and was elected Vice President in 2021. She also lends her skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Community Outreach Committee and Grant Committee. She is the current director of executive services at Hope Network, where she has been working for over 6 years. Jill is also an accomplished photographer, offering services to clients in and around West Michigan since 2004.

 

Kenneth James, Secretary

Ken James joined the board of directors in 2020 and began serving as the board Secretary in 2021.  He also lends his skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Community Outreach Committee and Grant Committee. He’s the director of inclusion at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, where he’s been overseeing the development and delivery of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming for the past 2 years.

 

Justin Knapp, Treasurer

Justin Knapp came on the board in 2020 and began serving as the board treasurer in 2021.  He also lends his skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Community Outreach Committee and Investment Committee. He’s been at Edward Jones for nearly 7 years as a financial advisor, where he helps hundreds of individuals, families, and business owners achieve their long-term financial goals.

 

Jennifer Puplava, Former President

Jennifer Puplava joined the board of directors in 2017, serving as board Vice President in 2019 and President in 2020.  She also lends her skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Investment Committee. She’s been an attorney at Mika Meyers since 1998, where she assists in serving the legal needs of individuals, businesses, municipalities, and institutions throughout Michigan and the nation.

 

Kim Bode

Kim Bode is the newest member of the board of directors, joining the team just this year. She is the owner of 8THIRTYFOUR Integrated Communications, which has been assisting businesses and organizations with their business strategy, marketing communications, event planning, training, media relations, and public relations for 14 years. She participated in Q&A Livestream Sn 2/Ep. 2, where she was interviewed by WZZM’s Val Lego.

 

Steve Hale

Steve Hale committed to the Cascade Community Foundation board of directors in 2018.  He’s been with Independent Bank for 15 years, where he now serves as vice president of commercial banking, constantly looking for opportunities to invest in West Michigan-based companies who are seeking to partner with a local community bank.

 

Martin Marino

Martin Marino has been serving on the board since 2018. He is the owner of Marino Insurance Services, which has been helping local residents since it was established in 1998.

 

Curt Monhart

Curt Monhart has been dedicating his services to the board since 2013.  He also lends his skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Investment Committee and Grant Committee. He is the president of E3 Prime Environments, where he’s been providing the best environments in terms of energy and water-use efficiencies, comfort, productivity, and safety for businesses for the past 3 years.

 

Andrew Shier

Andrew Shier joined the board of directors just last year in 2020.  He also lends his skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Investment Committee. He’s been an attorney at McShane & Bowie for the past 19 years, representing plaintiffs and defendants in lawsuits involving commercial contracts, business disputes, and real estate.

 

Denice Pavey

Denice Pavey began serving on the board in 2020. She also lends her skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Investment Committee. She’s been at Pennell CPA for almost 2 years, providing expertise, value, and timely service while solving complex and challenging situations for clients.

 

Ashley Werner

Ashley Werner joined the board of directors in 2020. She also lends her skills to the Cascade Community Foundation Community Outreach Committee. She’s been serving as the senior corporate strategist at Amway for the past year, overseeing the implementation of policies and procedures to better serve their clients.


Individuals interesting in serving on the board of directors should contact Justin Swan at justin.swan@cascadecommintyfoundation.com or call 616.499.2060.

Cascade Community Foundation is a 501(C)(3) dedicated to serving Ada, Cascade, and Forest Hills residents, businesses, local government, and nonprofits. Through the Q&A Livestream series, annual grantmaking, and the establishment of private endowment funds, the Foundation helps to preserve this robust community, manage philanthropic resources efficiently, and guide support to areas of greatest need.